The will of the people

The Yemeni revolution gained momentum after Mubarak’s fall, with its highs and lows and the possibility of civil war always looming. The Yemeni revolution has against all expectations stayed peaceful. A National Council has been formed (even if there are disagreements on proportion of representation). As the Freedom Fighters in Libya made progress the voices of Yemeni revolutionaries became louder. Even with the media blackout, the voices and usage of other mediums just became wider.

As I found out about attacks that were occurring in Taiz in the midst of the night; one question lingered. Will the will of the people persevere? I was curious as to how long the people could go on. How many would need to die so the world takes notice? How many will be arrested and beaten, before the Yemeni people’s patience snaps?

Independent Youth and pages were reporting protesters getting injured, due to being sprayed at with water cannons amongst other things. Surprisingly I didn’t see them scared – but determined with shouts of “Peaceful, Peaceful” still being chanted. The villages of Arhab were getting fired at indiscriminately and the people of Abyan were still displaced and unable to go back. All this combined with the lack of electricity, fuel and jobs looks like a deadly mix.

Now I’m not suggesting that Yemen should resort to an armed conflict in order to bring about the success of their revolution. I merely wanted to know; how the longest ongoing revolution would continue to be ongoing.

Below is one of the protesters that was detained in Taiz. He says they were sprayed with water,beaten by batons & kicked..

With the economy getting worse and Ali Abdullah Saleh insisting he will be back “soon”, the people are full of hope that after Gaddafi will be Saleh.

Views from some of the protesters in Yemen “The people of Yemen will take its victory after Libya – God willing”

As I carry on reading how the people persevere, as I carry on seeing an evolving nation the creeping pessimism in me goes deeper into hiding. The optimist that has made me support the oppressed comes back to the surface. With all the difficulties that has faced Yemen, it’s a now or never revolution. A revolution of desperation, a revolution for a better Yemen. So even though the world may question how the poorest country in the Middle East with it’s many difficulties still perseveres…I have come to the conclusion that maybe we are just witnessing true Yemenis at their best form.

“Oh revolutionaries in Baydah, we do not accept chaos, other than his departure we won’t accept”
“We will continue Oh Sana’a towards Freedom we will go”
“Go forward Oh Hadramout either victory or death”
“Revolution revolution Oh Sa’ada, God will keep his promise”
“Victory is near Oh Abyan, your situation need to improve”
“You lived free Oh Taiz, after your steadfastness this is pride”
“No retreating Oh Mahra, until victory is achieved”
“Keep it up Oh Hodeidah, we will build a new country”
“We Will not relent Oh Shabwa, our revolution grew stronger”
“Do not stop Oh Dhamar, until we nail it”
“Continue Oh Hajjah, delight day is near”
“Long live Lahj and Dhala, be patient, our right is coming back”
“Oh the free land of Ibb, we don’t accept a lying President”
“Patience Patience Oh Amran, oppressor is the loser”
“We will not give up Oh Aden, until we clean the country”
“We revolted Oh Mareb against the corrupted regime”
“Patience honest of Al-Jawf, after today no more fear”
“Towards freedom Oh Rayma, we’re remaining in the tents”

Above is the chants of Al Baydah on the 25th of August mentioning all the Yemeni cities as they marched peacefully.